Method and apparatus for working on submerged pipeline means

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for working on submerged pipeline means where multiple forces are exerted on each of a plurality of disconnected pipeline sections to effect alignment of these sections. On at least one section one of the forces functions as a fulcrum or restraining force while another force is operable to effect alignment inducing movement of a free end of the one section. Method and apparatus for effecting the laying of a pipeline where laying is implemented in conjunction with a transportable, submerged enclosure. The enclosure provides a gaseous environment for pipeline section joinder operations and may be at least partially flooded to facilitate the moving of the enclosure away from an already laid pipeline area.

1 United States Patent Banjavich et a1.

1*Jan. 15, 1974 4] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING ON SUBMERGEDPIPELINE MEANS [75] Inventors: Mark P. Banjavich; George R.

Morrissey, both of New Orleans; Anthony V. Gaudiano, Metairie, all ofLa.

[73] Assignee: Taylor Diving & Salvage Co., Inc.,

Plaquenenes Parish, La.

[ Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Feb. 15,1989, has been disclaimed.

22 Filed: Feb. 1, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 222,577

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.841,777, July 15,

1969, Pat. N0. 3,641,777.

[52] US. Cl. 61/72.3, 61/69 R [51] Int. Cl. B23k 37/04, B63c 11/00 [58]Field of Search 61/69 R, 72.3;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1641,77? 2/1972 Banjavich eta1. 6l/72.3 X

4/1972 Gilman 61/69 R X 4/1970 Lynch 61/69 R Primary Examiner-J. KarlBell Attorney-James E. Cockfield [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus forworking on submerged pipeline means where multiple forces are exerted oneach of a plurality of disconnected pipeline sections to effectalignment of these sections. On at least one section one of the forcesfunctions as a fulcrum or restraining force while another force isoperable to effect alignment inducing movement of a free end of the onesection.

Method and apparatus for effecting the laying of a pipeline where layingis implemented in conjunction with a transportable, submerged enclosure.The enclosure provides a gaseous environment for pipeline sectionjoinder operations and may be at least partially flooded to facilitatethe moving of the enclosure away from an already laid pipeline area.

12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JAN 1 5 I974 SHEEIIBF? 4 AVAVAFIG. 2

PAIENIEDJAM 51924 sum u or 7 ms. A E: R 5

PAIENTEB JAN] 51974 SHEET 5 1F 7 PATENTED JAN] 5 I974 SHEEIBBFT PAIENTEDJAN 1 5 I974 simmer? |il J E jugs. uN- Q: www mw wfl iy g mi- Q:

QN- 9: UN- 0: mi- Q:

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING ON SUBMERGED PIPELINE MEANS RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.Banjavich et al. application Ser. No. 841,777, filed July 15, 1969,entitled Method and Apparatus for Working on Submerged Conduit Means andassigned to the assignee of the present application, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 3,641,777.

The entire disclosure of the aforesaid Banjavich et al application Ser.No. 841,777 is herein incorporated by reference, insofar as it relatesto the disclosure and/or claims of into central present application.

GENERAL BACKGROUND, OBJECTS, AND

1 SUMMARY OF INVENTION During recent years, intensified activity inrelation to the development of offshore oil and gas sources hasengendered significant developments in the pipelaying art. 1

One aspect of offshore operations has entailed the effecting of pipelinerepair or joinder operations where an alignment frame is employed tofacilitate the alignment of disconnected pipeline section ends and ahabitat or enclosure is operated to provide a dry environment withinwhich welding or other pipeline joinder and/or repairing operations maybe implemented.

One. effort in this connection is exemplified by a Lynch US. Pat. No.3,508,410. The Lynch patent relates to and discloses an integratedalignment frame and habitat where one self-aligning clamp means exerts arestraining or aligning force on one conduit section and anotherself-aligning clamp means imposes another restraining and/or aligningforce on another pipeline section. This unit as disclosed by Lynch doesnot impart both fulcrum and shifting forces to one or both of twopipeline sections being joined and thus is limited in its utility.

An advance in the art relative to the Lynch concept is exemplified bythe concept disclosed in the aforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser.No. 841,777, filed July 15, 1969. The Banjavich et al. applicationdiscloses an improved clamping and aligning concept which repudiates theLynch concept and in which forces are uniquely exerted on at least onedisconnected pipeline section, with one such force being able tofunction as a fulcrum and another being able to function as amanipulating or shifting force. With this Banjavich et al concept,uniquely effective, composite aligning manipulations of pipelinesections at underwater locations may be effected.

As pipeline laying at offshore locations progresses into deeper anddeeper waters, increasing attention is devoted to the possibleutilization of techniques which would enable pipeline laying to beeffected entirely under water, with the use of conventional surfacelocated, lay barges being eliminated.

Conjecture in relation to such operations is evidenced by U.S. Pats.such as Terrell, No. 3,393,524 which, in a schematic sense, provides adiscussion of a propellable underwater pipelaying vehicle. The Terrelldisclosure, like others, fails to provide meaningful consideration ofthe manner in which pipeline sections would be transported to asubmerged assembly vehicle and manipulated into joined connection withan already or previously laid pipeline portion.

Various prior patents have suggested, often in a somewhat fanciful way,techniques entailing the use of submerged propellable vessels inconnection with pipelaying or cable laying operations. Such patentsinclude Terrell US. Pat. No. 3,393,524, Gretter et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,434,297, McLallen, Jr. US. Pat. No. 3,512,367, Poole U.S. Pat. No.3,514,962 and Brooks et al. US Pat. No. 3,520,358.

Pipelaying operations entail problems substantially different from thoseinvolved in cable laying operations.

As to pipelaying operations, the art identified above does not disclosean effective technique which would enable pipe joints to be weldedwithin an underwater enclosure and where the enclosure would define agaseous environment in communication with a water body and where meanswould be associated with the enclosure for effecting its propulsionalong a pipeline and the feeding of new joints into the interior of theenclosure for joint forming purposes.

Patents such as the Coultrup US. Pat. No. 3,407,61 l are representativeof disclosures of submerged enclosure means which provide a gaseous.environment encircling a pipe joint. However, the Coultrup design isdevoid of any mechanism for effecting its selfpropulsion along apipeline and is devoid of any means for feeding new joints into theinterior of the enclosure.

Significant indications as to how underwater pipeline laying may beimplemented with a self-propelled vessel are to be found in thespecification of the aforesaid Banjavich et al application Ser. No.841,777. This present application incorporates the teachings of theBanjavich et al. disclosure and provides specific indications as to howthe advantages of the concepts featured in the aforesaid Banjavich et a1application may be able to be attained.

With respect to the ultimate aligning and manipulating aspect of thisinvention, a method is herein presented which entails the manipulatingof frame means relative to an underwater pipeline so as to selectivelylocate the frame means relative to the pipeline for work purposes. Fromthe frame means, a series of longitudinally spaced forces are exerted onat least two disconnected pipeline sections, with these forces beingindependent in nature and directed transversely of the pipelinesections. On at least one of these two pipeline sections a restrainingforce is exerted so as to provide fulcrum means reacting transversely onthe one pipeline section. Another aligning force is exerted on anotherportion of this one pipeline section tending to move this other portiongenerally transversely of the one portion of the pipeline sectionagainst which the fulcrum means is reacting. Disconnected ends of thetwo pipeline sections are isolated in a gaseous environment which is ofthis invention disconnected ends of pipeline sections to be joined areenclosed withina gaseous environment at an underwater location. A jointinterconnecting these disconnected pipeline sections is formed in thisgaseous environment. Thereafter, gas is displaced from the environmentand the joint interconnecting the pipeline sections is submerged inwater. An enclosure which had previously defined the gaseous environmentis then transported away from the immersed joint toward an extremity ofone of the pipeline sections which is to be joined to another pipelinesection. Water is then displaced from the enclosure means and anotherpipeline joint formed within the newly produced gaseous environment.

Still another significant mehthod aspect of this invention pertains to acomposite concept where an enclosure means is provided at a submergedlocation, which enclosure means includes first, second and third chambermeans. In this arrangement the second chamber means is interposedlongitudinally between the first and third chamber means relative to alongitudinal axis of the enclosure means. A first pipeline section issupported so that it extends through first chamber means into the secondchamber means. A second pipeline section is supported so that it extendsfrom the third chamber means into the second chamber means.

A first seal means is provided between the first and second chambermeans and is operable to telescopingly receive the first pipelinesection. A second seal means is provided between the second and thirdchamber means and is operable to telescopingly receive the secondpipeline section.

A first aligning clamp means is operable in the second chamber means toengage and selectively manipulate the first pipeline section. A secondaligning clamp means is provided in the second chamber means which isoperable to engage and selectively manipulate the second pipelinesection.

A feeding means is associated with the third chamber means and isoperable to selectively advance the second pipeline section from thethird chamber means toward and into the second chamber means.

A propulsion means is carried by the enclosure ,means and is operable toadvance the enclosure means from the first pipeline section toward thesecond pipeline section.

The environment is controlled in the enclosure means by selectivelydisplacing water from the second chamber means to define a gaseousenvironment encircling disconnected ends of the first and secondpipeline sections. After these ends have been joined, gas is transferredfrom the second chamber means to the first and third chamber means tosubmerge the first and second seal means. This submergence enables thepropulsion means to be operated so as to advance the enclosure meansalong the pipeline without losing the gaseous environment.

Yet another independent aspect of the invention pertains to a method oflaying submerged pipeline with a self-propellable enclosure means. Theenclosure means is operable to define a gaseous environment encircling apipe joint to be made, with this environment being in communicatingrelation with a water body surrounding the enclosure. After a joint hasbeen made and the enclosure has propelled itself to a new jointlocation, a new joint is fed into the enclosure for an alignment andjoinder operation.

The invention also contemplates various uniquely interactingcombinations of apparatus means which enable the aforesaid methodaspects of the invention to be effectively implemented.

DRAWINGS In describing the invention by way of example, but not by wayoflimitation with respect to the scope of the invention, reference willbe made to certain appended drawings.

Various presently preferred embodiments are shown in these appendeddrawings wherein: method FIG. 1 provides a side elevational view of aninstallation wherein a diving frame is being manipulated between asurface vessel and submerged pipeline sections;

FIG. 2 illustrates the diving frame installed in claimping or superposedcooperation with pipeline sections, with a habitat or enclosure beinglowered into installation position relative to the diving frame;

FIG. 3 provides a transverse, sectional and enlarged view of the habitatof FIG. 2, illustrating the habitat in installed cooperation withpipeline sections;

FIG. 4 provides a schematic rendering of a clamping of mechanism whichmay be employed to facilitate the transportion of a diving chamberbetween a surface boat and the installed habitat for the purpose ofmoving divers between the surface boat and the habitat, it being'recognized that in many instances this mechanism and the diving chambermay not need to be employed in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 5 provides a transverse sectional view of the FIG. 1 diving frameas viewed along section line 5-5, illustrating in end elevation onerepresentative type of clamp arrangement which may be employed forpipeline gripping and/or aligning purposes;

FIG. 6 provides an end elevational view, at the general location ofsection line 5-5 of FIG. 1, illustrating an alternative clamping and/oraligning arrangement;

FIG. 7 provides an enlarged fragmentary and partially third of areinforced or ruggedized piston and cylinder arrangement incorporated inthe FIG. 6 embodiment;

FIG. 8 provides an end elevational view of still another alternativeclamping arrangement which could be employed for pipeline aligningand/or clamping purposes in lieu of either the FIG. 5 or FIG. 6arrangements;

FIG. 9 provides a transverse sectional view of a clamping component ofthe FIG. 8 assembly, viewing this clamping component along section line99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 provides a transversely sectioned, end elevational view of theclamping component of FIG. 10 as viewed along section line 10-10 of FIG.8;

FIG. 11 provides a partially sectioned perspective view of aself-propelled underwater enclosure means which may be employed forpipeline laying and/or repairing and/or working operations;

FIGS. 12A-12F provide a series of schematic, partially sectioned sideelevation views of the FIG. 11 apparatus illustrating various stepsinvolved in a representative pipelaying operation wherein:

FIG. 12A illustrates the disposition of the apparatus during a weldingor pipeline section joinder operation where a central chamber defines agenerally gaseous environment;

FIG. 12B illustrates the manner in which the central compartment of theFIG. 11 apparatus may be flooded to facilitate the subsequent advancingof the FIG. 11 apparatus to a new joint location;

FIG. 12C schematically illustrates the new location of the FIG. llenclosure, with a new pipeline section being lowered into position forjoinder purposes,

FIG. 12D schematically illustrates the advancing of the new pipelinesection into the FIG. 11 enclosure so that the free end of the sectionwill be disposed within the central chamber;

FIG. 12E illustrates the new pipeline section disposed in position withits free end projecting into the central chamber of the FIG. 11apparatus; and

FIG. 12F illustrates the manner in which the central compartment of theFIG. 11 enclosure has been purged of sufficient water to provide agaseous environment encircling the free ends of the pipeline sections tobe joined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In describing theinvention, reference will be made to various aspects of aligning andworking concepts described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 12.

In connection with the aligning concept, the disclosure of Banjavich etal application Ser. No. 841,777 is herein incorporated by referenceinsofar as it relates to structure and/or mode of operation of divingframe means featured in FIGS. 1 through 10.

The ensuing discussion of the invention will also pertain to aself-propelled, underwater pipelaying vehicle described in connectionwith FIGS. 11 and 12A through 12F.

With respect to the underwater pipelaying vehicle, those portions of thespecification of the Banjavich et al application Ser. No. 841,777 whichpertain to the use of a self-propelled underwater frame and/or habitatare herein incorporated by reference.

Pipeline Aligning Frame and Habitat Fulcrum and Alignment Aspects Theaforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser. No. 841,777 describes, indetail, certain forms of structure, certain modes of operation, andrepresentative control circuitry which may be employed to effect thealignment of pipeline sections for repair and/or work and/or joinderpurposes.

By way of recapitulation, and with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 ofthis application, it will be recalled with reference to the Banjavich etal. disclosure that this aspect of the invention involves the use of adiving frame 1, a diving frame manipulating or transporting means 2, anda habitat 3.

As shown in FIG. I, a surface located, floating service boat 4 ispositioned generally above a submerged location 5. At this submergedlocation, first and second pipeline sections 6 and 7 are disposed withtheir free ends 8 and 9 in reasonably close proximity. To facilitateoperations, pipeline sections 8 and 9 may be lo cated above a cavity 10which is formed by jetting or other techniques in a submerged surface 11supporting these sections. Conventional, diver manipulated, jettingtools may be employed in order to form the cavity 10. i

The manipulating means 2 may comprise conventional hoisting and loweringmechanism or means 12 extending from the service boat 4 to hoisting andlowering bar means 13. Bar means 113 may be detachably connected withdiving frame 1 via detachably con nected joints 15a and 15. The loweringof the diving frame 1 into superposed relation with conduit sections 6and 7 may be facilitated by guidelines 16 and 17 in the manner generallydescribed in the aforesaid Banjavich et al application.

As is described in the Banjavich et al. application, the hoisting ormanipulating means 2 is operated so as to lower the diving frame 1toward the pipeline sections 6 and 7. During this lowering operation, orat least at the end of the lowering operation, a plurality ofarticulated clamps 18, I9, 20 and 21 carried by frame 1 will be disposedin an open position so that the downwardly facing open ends of theclamps will receive the pipeline sections.

Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, frame 1 will be lowered sothat clamp means 18 and 19 will be disposed in engagement with pipelinesection 6, while clamps 20 and 21 will be disposed in engagement withpipeline section 7.

After the frame has been lowered into position in this manner, thehoisting bar means 13 may be disconnected from frame 1 and be employedto lower the habitat 3 into position over the ends 8 and 9 of thepipeline sections. During this operation, and as shown in FIG. 2,guidelines 22 and 23 may extend between the service boat 4, and thepipeline sections 6 and 7 and be employed to provide guided lowering ofthe habitat 3.

As is described in the aforesaid Banjavich et al. application, thehabitat 3 will be lowered by hoisting and lowering gear 14 (extendingfrom the service boat and connected possibly with the lowering bar 13)so that open aperture defining pipeline receiving ends 24 and 25 of thehabitat will be lowered over the pipeline ends 8 and 9. Thereafter, sealdefining door means 26 and 27, associated with the pipeline receivingcavities 24 and 25 will be closed so as to provide sealed end walls inthe habitat encircling the pipeline ends.

The habitat 3 will provide a gaseous environment encircling the pipelinesections 8 and 9. Within this gaseous environment a connecting section(or valve or fitting) may be interposed between the section ends 8 and 9and welded into place so as to effect the joining of the pipeline ends 8and 9.

Before the joining operation is commenced, clamp control means may beoperated either from the frame 1, or from the habitat 3, or from boththe frame and habitat to effect appropriate aligning manipulation of thepipeline ends 8 and 9.

It is contemplated, for example, that this alignment could be effectedwith clamps I8 and 21 engaging the pipeline sections 6 and 7 so as tofunction as stationary fulcrums, with either or both of clamps l9 and 20being shifted in position to effect the desired coaxial alignment of thepipeline sections 8 and 9. In certain instances it may be necessary tomanipulate only one of sence, adjust the orientation of the centrallongitudinal axis of the pipeline sections 6 and 7.

In still other instances each of the clamps on one or both sections mayhave to be manipulated to effect the desired axial orientation andpositioning of the pipeline sections.

If desired, anchor or pile means 28 may be employed to more effectivelyanchor the frame 1 to the submerged surface 11 to facilitate andstabilize such pipeline section aligning operations. In many instances,however, the weight of the frame 1 will be sufficient in and of itselfto enable these aligning functions to be implemented.

As will be apparent by reference to FIG. 3, environment control means 29may be associated with the habitat 3 and operable to regulate thehumidity and/or temperature within the gaseous environment 30 of thehabitat. This environment 30, as is described in the aforesaid Banjavichet al application, is disposed in pressure communicating relation withthe water body surrounding the habitat. Such communication may beafforded by a perforate or gridlike floor 31 at the base of the habitat3.

As FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, a diver 32 within the habitatinterior 30 may effect welding repair and/or joinder operations. Asfurther schematically shown in FIG. 3, the diver 32 is engaged in awelding operation, effecting the joinder of a chain hoist supported,short pipeline section 33 between the pipeline section ends 8 and 9.

In certain instances transportation of divers between the habitat 3 andthe vessel 4 may be facilitated by diving chamber means 34. Divingchamber means 34 may be lowered and raised by hoisting means 35extending between the chamber 34 and the work vessel 4, or some otherwork vessel.

As is described in the aforesaid Banjavich et al application, winchmeans 36 may drive a cable means 37 extending between sheave means 38 ofthe habitat 3 and the base of the diving chamber 34 for the purpose ofdrawing the chamber 34 into coupled relation with a diver transfer orentry chamber 39.

Various Clamp Embodiments It is contemplated that each of the clampmeans 18, 19, 20 and 21 may assume a variety of configurations. However,as to each such configuration, a capability should be present forexerting forces transversely of a pipeline section so as to effecteither lateral or vertical alignment.

Thus, in the arrangement described in the aforesaid Banjavich et al.application Ser. No. 841,777, a representative clamp 18, as shown inFIG. of the present application, is supported by transverse frame means1801. This frame means, as shown in FIG. 5, comprises a generallyC-shaped, downwardly open, truss-like member. Longitudinally extendingframing means 1802, 1803, 1804 and 1805, shown in FIG. 5, interconnectthe various truss means which are associated with and individuallysupport the various clamps 18, 19, and 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, an articulated clamp 1806 is supported, through apivot connection 1807, by a generally upwardly extending piston andcylinder assembly 1808. Piston and cylinder assembly 1808 is pivotallysupported by pivot joint 1809 to an upper portion of the truss 1801.Pivot joints 1807 and 1809 have pivot axis extending longitudinally offrame 1.

One of two articulated clamp segments, i.e., segment 1810, is pivotallyconnected via pivot joint 1811 with a piston and cylinder assembly 1812.Piston and cylinder assembly 1812 in turn is pivotally connected bypivot joint 1813 to longitudinal framing member 1802.

Similarly, another piston and cylinder assembly 1814 is pivotallyconnected by pivot joints 1815 and 1816 to truss member 1805 and theother clamp segment 1817, respectively.

By manipulating the various piston and cylinder assemblies, under thecontrol of a diver and either from the frame or from the interior of thehabitat 3, the clamp segments 1810 and 1817 may be closed incircumscribing relation about a pipeline section. The three piston andcylinder assemblies may then be manipulated so as to exert selectivelyand transversely directed forces on the clamped pipeline section so asto provide either a fulcrum or alignment action. A representative mannerin which either or both of these actions may be accomplished isdescribed in detail in the aforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser.No. 841,777, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety byreference in this application.

A somewhat modified clamping and truss arrangement is shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, a representative truss section 1818 supports anarticulated clamp 1819. Various trusses of the type shown in FIG. 6 maybe individually associated with each or all of the clamps 18, 19, 20 and21 and may be interconnected by longitudinally extending framing means1820 and 1821, etc.

Each articulated clamp 1819 may comprise clamp half segments 1822 and1823 which are supported by a pivot joint 1824 on an upwardly extendingpiston and cylinder assembly 1825. Assembly 1825 corresponds in generalto the previously noted piston and cylinder assembly 1808.

A ruggedized piston and cylinder assembly 1826 interconnects framingmember 1821 and one clamp segment 1823. As is shown in FIG. 7, thisruggedized assembly comprises an inner telescoping cylinder 1827 whichis fixedly connected, as by welding, to clamp segment 1823. An outertelescoping cylinder member 1827a telescopingly receives member 1827 andis pivotally connected by pivot means 1827b to framing member 1821.

Within the telescopable assebmly of components 1827 and 1827a, anactuating piston and cylinder assembly 1828 is disposed. Piston andcylinder assembly 1828 is pivotally connected with pivot joint 1827b andmay be connected at its opposite end by a pin joint 1829 with clamp1823.

With this arrangement, flexing of the piston and cylinder assembly 1828is impeded through the structural supporting action of the telescopingassembly of components 1827 and 1827a.

Significantly, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, translationof the clamp 1819 in either lateral or vertical directions may beeffected with only two piston and cylinder assemblies.

A still further clamp arrangement which might be employed and, indeed,which has been effectively employed in the piston in practicing theinvention, and which like the FIGS. 6 and 7 embodiment is embracedwithin the concepts exemplified by the FIG. 5 disclosure is featured inFIGS. 8-10.

As is shown, representative clamp 18 may comprise a tubular memberdefined, transverse truss 1830. Truss 1830 supports a beam 1831 which ismounted for vertical sliding movement on upright trackways 1832 and1833. Beam 1831 is selectively manipulatable on trackways 1832 and 1833through operation of elevating or hoisting means 1834. Hoisting means1834 may comprise cable and/or piston and cylinder means 1835 and 1836engaging, in a force balanced manner, opposite ends of the beam 1831. Byselectively actuating hoisting means 1834, the elevation of beam 1831may be selectively adjusted by operators or divers.

A clamp mechanism 1837 is slidably supported on beam 1831 for transversesliding movement. This transverse sliding movement of clamp assembly1837 along the beam 1831 may be conveniently effected by a variety ofshifting means, including piston and cylnder means, not shown, whichinterconnect the beam 1831 with the clamp assembly base 1838. Base 1838may be slidably supported on a track-like base beam 1831, as shown inFIG. 10.

As will be apparent by reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, clamp assembly1837 may comprise an upper, generally semi-cylindrical, clamp segment1839. A pair of generally quarter cylinder, clamp segments 1840 and 1841may be pivotally connected to lower edges of the clamp segment 1839 bypivot means 1842 and 1843. A pair of piston and cylinder assemblies 1844and 1845 may be mounted on the left side of segment 1839, viewing theapparatus as shown in FIG. 8. These piston and cylinder assemblies maybe connected on the right side of the segment 1839 via bracket members1846 which in turn are connected with segment 1841.

With this arrangement, coordinated and selective actuation of the pistonand cylinder assemblies 1844 and 1845 will serve to induce pivotingmovement of clamp segment 1841.

Another pair of piston and cylinder assemblies 1847 and 1848 may bemounted on the right side of segment 1839 and be connected with bracketmeans 1849 extending upwardly from segment 1840. With this arrangement,selective and coordinated actuation of piston and cylinder means 1847and 1848 will serve to induce selective opening and closing, i.e.,pivoting movement of the clamp segment 1840.

Thus, in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10, the pistonand cylinder assemblies carried by 1839 may be manipulated to effectcircumscribing closure of the segments 1840 and 1840 about the undersideof a pipeline section.

By shifting the clamp base 1838 along the rail 1831 and by effectingselective adjustments in elevation of the beam 1831, the lateral and/orvertical positioning of the clamp may be selectively adjusted and/ordetermined.

As will be appreciated, in all of the embodiments previously described,the pivot joints all have mutually parallel pivot axes extendinglongitudinally of the frame 1.

In certain instances, the massive nature of the diving frame 1 maydictate the advisability of providing a segmented or modular framearrangement.

In this connection, it is contemplated that the clamps 18 and 19 couldbe supported on a frame which is structurally independent of anotherframe supporting the clamps 20 and 21.

With this sort of a divided frame arrangement, each frame half could beselectively manipulated into pipeline section clamping position.

It it contemplated that with such an arrangement the weight of eachframe half may provide sufficient frame stability or that additionalstability might be employed by means such as frame half securing pilemeans or structural means installed by divers and interconnecting theinstalled frame halves.

Modifications in the clamp and frame of the type heretofore describedare here discussed solely for the purpose of indicating various ways inwhich the basic generic aspects of the invention may be practiced.Claims limited to specific structural aspects of these modifications arenot here presented, it being recognized that such modifications may notnow be independently patentable in light of applicant's prior uses ofthe invention and not necessary in light of generic aspects of theinvention embraced by the disclosure of the aforesaid Banjavich et al.application Ser. No. 841,777.

Self-Propelled Enclosure Frame Combination It is contemplated that, incertain instances, the habitat 3 may be integrated with the frame 1 suchthat the frame 1 and habitat 3 would be lowered into operative As willbe apparent by reference to FIG. 11, second chamber is interposedlongitudinally between the first and third chambers 104 and 106 withreference to thelingitudinal axis of a pipeline 1112 being laid.

Each of the chambers 104, 105, and 106 is operable to contain a gaseousenvironment which is in direct communicating relation with a water bodysurrounding the assembly 100. This communication may be provided throughperforate grid-like floor means 107, 108 and 109.

as... mass 107, 108 and memes The general to the grid-like base means250 and 251 associated with the habitat featured in FIG. 5 of theaforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser. No. 841,777.

The grid-like or perforate bases of the enclosure 101 may includevarious openings, movable sections, etc. operable to facilitatemovements of divers between the interior of the enclosure compartmentsand the exterior of the apparatus 100. 8 Similarly, various lock orpassage arrangements may be provided at the bulkheads 102 and 103 tofacilitate movement of divers and operatives between the charm bers. Inaddition, the enclosure may be provided with various lock or accesspassage arrangements to facilitate movements of divers between theinterior of the enclosure 101 and its exterior. Such passagearrangements could, for example, be similar to the access or transferpassage means 233 featured in FIG. 5 of the aforesaid Banjavich et al.application.

As shown in FIG. 11, a first pipeline section 110 extends through thefirst chamber 104, into the second chamber 105, so as to dispose a freesection end 111 within the interior of the second or central chamber105.

A new pipeline section, i.e., a second section 113, is supported by theapparatus so as to extend from the third chamber 106, into the secondchamber 105. The second pipeline section is thus supported so that itsfree end 114, which is to be connected with the end 11 1 of joint 110,is disposed within the second chamber 105 in the general proximity ofpipeline section end 111.

Supporting of the pipeline in this manner may be provided by bulkheadpassage means 115, 116 and 116a carried by enclosure end wall 117 andbulkheads 102 and 103, respectively. Other pipeline support means may beprovided in the chambers 104, 105 and 106, corresponding possibly to theroller-type support means associated with the barge ramp featured inLawrence US. Pat. No. 3,390,532. The use of such auxiliary pipelinesupport rollers being conventional and well understood, these rollerarrangements have not been illustrated in FIG. 11.

Supports 116 and 116a may comprise selectively releasable seal meanscorresponding in general to the type of seal means featured in FIGS. 15and 16 of the aforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser. No. 841,777and comprising seal segments 208 and 213. These seal segments may bemounted for relative movement away from and toward the axis of theirrespectively associated pipeline sections for seal opening and closingpurposes.

With the seals closed, and with chamber 105 dry or occupied by gas atleast to a level as low as the seals 116 and 116a, the gaseousenvironment within the chamber 105 will be retained.

With the seals 116 and 116a opened, the apparatus 100 will be freedrelative to the pipeline 112 and able to be advanced along the pipelineto a new assembly or joint forming site.

As will be understood, cradle, roller or bearing arrangements may beassociated with each of the means 115, 116 and 116a to provide pipelinesupport in these areas and facilitate pipeline movement during vesselpropelling operations.

With this seal arrangement, each of the seal means 116 and 116a isoperable to telescopingly receive its respectively associated pipelinesection 110 or 113.

A pair of pipeline aligning clamp means 118 and 119 are disposed withinthe interior of chamber 105.

Each of these aligning clamp means is operable to engage and selectivelymanipulate one pipeline section.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, clamp 118 is disposed in clampablecooperation with pipeline section 110 while clamp means 119 is disposedin clampable cooperation with section 113.

Each of the aligning clamps 118 and 119 is mounted for both generallyhorizontal and vertical shifting movement.

Thus, as is shown in connection with representative clamp means 118, theclamp means may comprise vertically separable clamp segments 120 and 121which are mounted for selective vertical adjustment on verticallyextending frame or track means 122. Frame or track means 122 is in turnmounted for selective horizontal adjustment transversely of thelongitudinal pipeline axis on trackways 123 and 124.

This track arrangement thus closely parallels the aligning adjustmentarrangement described in connection with FIG. 8.

Conventional movement facilitating devices may be employed to effectconvergence and separation of the clamp segments and 121 as well ashorizontal and vertical movements of the clamp segments when they areclosed about a pipeline section.

With a pipeline section engaged by a seal, and engaged as well by aclamp, the seal will function as a fulcrum while manipulation of theclamp disposed in gripping cooperation with the pipeline section willselectively adjust the positioning and alignment of the pipeline sectionend.

By thus manipulating either or both of the clamp means 118 and 119, thepipeline section ends 111 and 114 may be brought into the desiredcoaxial alignment for pipeline end joining operations.

It is contemplated that a variety of techniques may be employed toeffect the joinder of the pipeline ends 111 and 114, including weldingoperations.

For the purpose of feeding the new pipeline section 113 into theinterior of the enclosure a feeding means 125 may be employed.

As is shown generally in FIG. 11, feeding means 125 may comprise adownwardly diverging hopper-like trough 126 which is operable to receivethe pipeline section 113 as it is lowered from a service vessel. Trough126 will guide the section 113 into supported cooperation with supportand feed means 127.

The support and feed means may comprise a longitudinally extendingsupport 127 containing a series of longitudinally spaced drive wheels orrollers or one or more caterpillar track means or other drive meansoperable to engage the underside of the pipeline section 113.Transversely movable, and mirror-image related clamp means 128 and 129may be employed for the purpose of engaging the top of the pipelinesection 1 13 so that the section will be held in driving cooperationwith the support and drive means 127. As is schematically shown in FIG.11, each such segment may be pivotally connected to support and drivemeans 127 by pivot means 130 and transversely manipulated about thepivot means by hydraulic piston and cylinder means 131.

As will be apparent, a variety of other feeding and clampingarrange-ments could be employed.

For example, the clamp means could comprise a single means operable topivot about an axis extending horizontally and transversely of thepipeline axis so as to pivot through the opening defined by trough 126.Drive means could be contained within the movable clamp means insteadof, or in addition to, drive means provided by the underlying supportmeans 127.

By way of example, drive and support means associated with either orboth of the means 127 and 128 may correspond in general to thetensioning wheel or track concept envisioned in connection with thedisclosure of Lawrence US. Pat. Nos. 3,487,648 and The assembly 100 isalso provided with selfpropelling means. Such self-propelling means maycomprise a series of articulated, helical screw-type, drive means 132and 133 mounted on each longitudinally extending lower side of theapparatus 100.

Each such drive means 132 and 133 may comprise a plurality ofindependent sections supported for independent upward pivotal movementby support bracket means 134. Each such support bracket means wouldprovide a pivot joint 135 permitting vertical pivotal movement of asegment 136 (or the entire drive means 132 or 133) relative to enclosure101.

A resilient biasing or other suspension arrangement could be employed tomaintain the drive means in driving cooperation with the submergedsurface 111 upon which the pipeline apparatus 100 is laying, whilepermitting the aforesaid articulation of the drive means. With each ofthe drive means 132 and 133 segmented, the drive means may articulateand more readily conform to irregularities in the submerged surface 111so as to promote more efficient propelling action.

By rotating each of the segments 136, either independently or in acoordinated fashion, the helical drive screw means 138 of the segmentswill effect movement of the mechanism 100 along the submerged surface.

The environment within the enclosure 101 may be controlled, as describedin the aforesaid Banjavich et al. application Ser. No. 841,777, so as toprovide humidity and temperature control conducive to effective weldingoperations and properly support life within the habitat.

During normal welding operations where section ends 111 and 114 arebeing joined, it is contemplated that a gaseous environment would beprovided within central chamber 105 extending below the joint 139between the pipe section ends 111 and 114i and below the seal means 116and 116a.

During such welding operations, the compartments or chambers 104 and 105would be wholly or partially flooded. Valve and gas pump means 140 and141 may be provided in association with the bulkheads 102 and 103 toselectively control the transfer of gas between the central chamber 105and the end chambers 104 and 106.

It is contemplated that mechanisms 140 and 141 would be operated totransfer gas from chamber 105 into chambers 104 and 106 in order toflood the enclosure chamber 105 at least to a level above the seals 116and 117 when the mechanism 100 was to be advanced to a new pipelinejoint forming location.

Various arrangements may be employed for supplying the gaseousenvironment in apparatus 100 and supplying power for operating thepipeline section feeding means and the enclosure propelling means.

In connection with the power source, power could be self-contained andcomprise, for example, battery means, fuel cell means, etc.Alternatively, power could be supplied by umbilical means extendingbetween the apparatus 100 and a surface-located service vessel.

With respect to the gaseous environment, the enclosure 101 could beprovided with gas tanks providing a substantial on-site" supply.Umbilical means could also extend between the chamber 105 (or otherportion of the enclosure 101) and such a service vessel for the purposeof either supplying or replenishing the gaseous environment. I

Bearing the foregoing discussion in mind, several variations in conceptsemerge.

The clamps 118 and 119 could advantageously comprise downwardly openingarticulated assemblies much like the articulated clamp structures ofFIGS. through 10. With such articulated clamp structures, and with anopening in the base of enclosure I01 extending its longitudinal lengthbeneath the pipeline sections, and with an openable arrangement forseals 116 and 116a corresponding to the habitat door seal arrangementabove noted and described in detail in the aforesaid Banjavich et alapplication, the apparatus may be lifted vertically away from, orlowered vertically over, a pipeline in much the same way that habitatand frame of the Banjavich et al. application are manipulated. By makingthe apparatus 101 selectively variable in buoyancy, it could be madeoperable to be blown to the water surface.

While the vehicle propulsion system could comprise auger means, asillustrated, other means such as tracks, wheels, jets, drive meansengaging "the pipeline, or tow means extending to a mother ship orservice boat could be employed. Various adjusting means could beprovided to selectively adjust the elevation and orientation of drivemeans such as augers, tracks, or wheels relative to the enclosure body.

The energy used by the apparatus 100 could be self contained, suppliedthrough umbilical means extending from a service boat, and could begenerated either on the apparatus 100 of a service boat and stored inaccumulator means on the apparatus 100.

Underwater Pipeline Laying Method 1 With the basic elements of theapparatus having been described, it is appropriate at this juncture toconsider various representative manipulative steps which may be involvedin a pipeline joining operation.

FIGS. l2A-12F schematically illustrate the disposition of components ofthe apparatus 100 during various stages of its operation.

As shown in FIG. 12A, central chamber 105 is occupied by gas and endchambers 104 and 106 are substantially flooded. Seals 116 and 116a areclosed and clamps 118 and 119 have been manipulated so as to effect theproper alignment of the pipe section ends 111 and 114. With theapparatus thus disposed, joint 139 may be formed, for example, bywelding.

As shown in FIG. 1213 after jjoint 139 has been formed, means 140 and141 may be operated to transfer gas from chamber 105 to chambers 104 and106 so as to flood the seals 116 and 116a. With the flooded seals 116and 116a and the clamps 118 and 119 re-' leased from clamping engagementwith the pipeline sections, the apparatus 100 is free to be propelled tothe right, away from the previously laid pipeline area 112.

FIG. 12C illustrates the apparatus 100 after it has been moved bypropelling means 132 and 133 to a new pipeline joint forming location.At this location, a new joint 143 is being lowered by hoisting means 142from a service vessel into the guide trough 126.

FIG. 12D illustrates the new joint 143 after it has been guided by thetrough 126 into support means 127. As shown in FIG. 12D, the clamp means128 and 129 have been closed over the top of the new section 143 and thefeeding mechanism has operated to commence the feeding of the new joint143 through the open seal means 116a and open clamp means 119 into theinterior of central chamber 105.

After the new pipe section 143 has been fed to the joinder position,shown in FIG. 12E, the seals 116 and 116a may be closed and the clamps118 and 119 also closed about the pipeline sections 113 and 143.

As shown in FIG. 12F, the environment control means and 141 may now beoperated to retransfer gas from the upper gas type portions of chambers104 and 106 intcentral chamber 105 so as to again define a relativelydry gaseous environment encircling the seals 116 and 116a and the jointzone 144 between the contiguous ends of the sections 113 and 143.

Before a welding or joining operation is effected, the clamp means 118and 119 may be selectively manipulated so as to properly align the ends145 and 146 of the sections 1 13 and 143v in preparation for welding orjoining operations.

In conjunction with this aligning operation, the feeding means 125 maybe operated, if desired, to selectively adjust the axial positioning ofthe new joint 143. Such adjustments in axial positioning of the newjoint 143, of course, may require partial or full opening of the seal116a and/or clamp 119 for the relatively brief period of time duringwhich an axial adjustment is being made.

In order to prevent the loss of the gaseous environment within theenclosure 101, through either of the pipeline sections being joined, itmay be desirable to employ pipeline plug means.

Such plug means may comprise plugs which are frictionally engageablewith the interior of a pipeline and operable to withstand the pressureof the gaseous environment within chamber 105 without being caused tomove relative to the pipeline interior. However, this frictionalinteraction would not be sufficient to withstand fluid pressuregenerated within the installed pipeline to displace the plugs therefromafter the pipeline laying operation was completed.

While frictional plugs of this nature conceivably could be employed,other releasable pipeline plugs are contemplated in connection with thistype of a control operation, including selectively releasable plugs ofthe type featured in the aforesaid Coultrup US. Pat. No. 3,407,61 1.

By way of example, it is contemplated that each new pipeline sectionsuch as the section 113 would be lowered into place with a pipeline endsealing plug disposed within the interior of each end. At thecommencement of the pipeline forming operation the free submerged end ofthe pipeline 112, such as the end 111, would also contain such a sealingplug.

All of the plugs could be left in place during the operations describedin connection with FIGS. 12A through 12F and removed after the pipelinelaying operation was completed.

Alternatively, and particularly if pipeline section 112 was closed atits starting end and filled with gas, it might be feasible in certaininstances to remove the plugs from the facing ends of the sections to bejoined, with this removal being effected within the chamber 105. Theremoved plugs could be moved from time to time out of the chamber 105,through an opening in its base, and transported to the surface to aservice vessel for use in connection with the sealing of additionalpipeline sections to be lowered to the apparatus 100.

Conventional line-up clamp means, pipeline end machining means, andmanual and/or automatic welding means may be incorporated within thechamber 105 for the purpose of implementing the joinder of pipelinesection ends.

Where other pipeline section joinder techniques are employed, apparatusnecessary to effet such joining will be included within the chamber 105for manipulation by divers or operatives.

SUMMARY OF OVERALL ADVANTAGES AND GENERAL SCOPE OF INVENTION Theutilization of fulcrum defining and alignment inducing forces inconjunction with a diving frame, in the unique manner heretoforedescribed, provides optimum control and flexibility in relation tounderwater pipeline repairing, laying, or working operations. With theconcept composite changes in orientation and positioning of pipelinesection axes and ends may be effected.

This concept contributes significantly to a reduction in the timenecessary to complete underwater operations and often makes possible theperforming of underwater work which could not otherwise be expeditiouslyeffected.

The self-propelled arrangement for laying a pipeline uniquelyincorporates the advantages of habitat-type joining, repairing and/orworking operations with selfpropulsion and pipeline section feeding soas to permit pipeline operations to be conducted without reliance onsurface vessels. Particularly where deep water open ations are involved,this technique would avoid the substantial problems contemplated inconnection with the water surface-originated laying techniques, i.e., inconnection with the use of a conventional lay barge.

The unitized frame and habitat system contemplated in connection withthe submerged pipelaying vessel yields the foregoing advantages andenables the relatively expensive gaseous environment to be effectivelyconserved so as to reduce the cost of underwater operations andsignificantly extend the time during which a vessel with aself-contained gas source would be able to operate.

Further, this concept, as employed with open bottom chambers provides aneffective, easy to utilize vehicle which is characterized by ease ofaccess and reliability in environment control.

Those familiar with this disclosure and skilled in the pipelaying artmay recognize additions, deletions, substitutions and othermodifications in addition to those herein suggested, all of which wouldbe deemed to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of working on conduits in a submerged location, said methodcomprising:

manipulating frame means relative to an underwater pipeline so as toselectively locate said frame means relative to said pipeline;

from said frame means, independently exerting a series of longitudinallyspaced, independent, and transversely directed forces on at least twodisconnected sections of said pipeline to adjust the alignment thereof;

on at least one of said two sections of said pipeline,

exerting at least one restraining force on one portion of said onepipeline section to provide fulcrum means reacting transversely on saidone pipeline section, and

exerting at least one other aligning force on another portion of saidone pipeline section, said aligning force being exerted on said otherportion of said one pipeline section to tend ,to move said other portionof said one pipeline section generally transversely of the one portionof said one pipeline section against which said fulcrum means isreacting; isolating disconnected ends of said first and second pipelinesections in a gaseous environment which is contained relative to saidframe means; and within said gaseous environment, effecting a joinder ofsaid disconnected ends of said pipeline sections. 2. A method tofacilitate working on submerged conduit means, said method comprising:

providing frame means operable to be lowered from floating vessel means;effecting selective manipulation of said frame means so as toselectively position said frame means relative to at least one of saidfirst and second sections of said pipeline; providing a first pluralityof independently operable clamp means carried by at least one portion ofsaid frame means,

and spaced longitudinally of a first section of a submerged pipeline andclampingly engaged therewith; providing a second plurality ofindependently operable clamp means carried by at least another portionof said frame means, and spaced longitudinally of a second section ofsaid submerged pipeline, and clampingly engaged therewith, with saidsecond pipeline section being disconnected from said first pipelinesection; defining a gaseous environment enclosing disconnected ends ofsaid first and second sections of said pipeline; causing each clamp ofsaid first plurality of clamp means to independently and selectivelyexert independent force on said first section of said submerged pipelinedirected generally transversely ofsaid first section; causing each clampof said second plurality of clamp means to independently and selectivelyexert independent force on said second section of said submergedpipeline directed generally transversely of said second section. 3. Amethod of laying a pipeline on a submerged location, said methodcomprising:

enclosing disconnected ends of pipeline sections in working chambermeans of enclosure means, with said working chamber means providing agaseous environment at an underwater location; forming a jointinterconnecting said disconnected pipeline sections in said gaseousenvironment; displacing gas from said gaseous environment and, in saidworking chamber means, immersing said joint interconnecting saidpipeline sections in water; transporting said working chamber meanscontaining said gaseous environment away from said immersed joint towardan extremity of one of said pipeline sections to be joined to anotherpipeline section; while said enclosure means is being transported awayfrom said immersed joint, storing said gas displaced from said gaseousenvironment in other chamber means included in said enclosure meansandtransporting said thus stored gas and other chamber means with saidwroking chamber means toward said extremity of said one of said pipelinesections;

transferring said stored gas from said other chamber means back intosaid working chamber means so as to displace water therefrom andreestablish a gaseous environment; and forming another joint connectingsaid one of said pipeline sections and said other pipeline section insaid reestablished gaseous environment within said enclosure means. 4. Amethod for effecting the underwater laying of a pipeline, said metodcomprising:

providing submerged enclosure means including,

a first chamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chambermeans, said second chamber means being interposed longitudinally betweensaid first and third chamber means, relative to a longitudinal axis ofsaid enclosure means; supporting a first pipeline section extendingthrough said first chamber means into said second chamber means;supporting a second pipeline section extending from said thrid chambermeans into said second chamber means; providing first seal means betweensaid first and second chamber means operable to telescopingly receivesaid first pipeline section; providing second seal means between saidsecond and third chamber means operable to telescopingly receive saidsecond pipeline section; operating first aligning clamp means in saidsecond chamber means to engage and selectively manipulate said firstpipeline section; operating second aligning clamp means in said secondchamber means to engage and selectively manipulate said second pipelinesection; controlling the environment in said enclosure means yselectively displacing water from said second chamber means to define agaseous environment encircling disconnected ends of said first andsecond pipeline sections contained within said second chamber means, andtransferring gas from said second chamber means to said first and thirdchamber means to submerge said first and second seal means. 5. A methodfor effecting the underwater laying of a pipeline, said methodcomprising:

providing submerged enclosure means including,

a first chamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chambermeans, said second chamber means being interposed longitudinally betweensaid first and third chamber means relative to a longitudinal axis ofsaid enclosure means; supporting a first pipeline section extendingthrough said first chamber means into said second chamber means;supporting a second pipeline section extending from said third chambermeans into said second chamber means; providing first seal means betweensaid first and second chamber means operable to telescopingly receivesaid first pipeline section;

providing second seal means between said second and third chamber meansoperable to telescopingly receive said second pipeline section;operating first aligning clamp means in said second chamber means toengage and selectively manipulate said first pipeline section; operatingsecond aligning clamp means in said second chamber means to engage andselectively manipulate said second pipeline section; feeding meanscarried by said third chamber means and operable to selectively advancesaid second pipeline section from said third chamber means toward andinto said second chamber means; propulsion means carried by saidenclosure means and operable to advance said enclosure means from saidfirst pipeline section toward said second pipeline section; controllingthe environment in said enclosure means y selectively displacing waterfrom said second chamber means to define a gaseous environmentencircling disconnected ends of said first and second pipeline sectionscontained within said second chamber means, and transferring gas fromsaid second chamber means to said first and third chamber means tosubmerge said first and second seal means when said propulsion means isto be operated to advance said enclosure means from said first pipelinesection toward said second pipeline section. 6. Apparatus for working onconduits in a submerged location, said apparatus comprising:

frame means; manipulating means operable to manipulate said frame meansrelative to an underwater pipeline so as to selectively locate saidframe means relative to said pipeline; aligning means operable from saidframe means to independently exert a series of longitudinally spaced,independent, and transversely directed forces on at least twodisconnected sections of said pipeline to adjust the alignment thereof;said aligning means being operable relative to at least one of said twosections of said pipeline, to exert at least one restraining force onone portion of said one pipeline section to provide fulcrum meansreacting transversely on said one pipeline section, and exert at leastone other aligning force on another portion of said one pipelinesection, with said aligning force being exerted on said other portion ofsaid one pipeline section to tend to move said other portion of said onepipeline section generally transversely of the one portion of said onepipeline section against which said fulcrum means is reacting; enclosuremeans operable to isolate disconnected ends of said first and secondpipeline section in a gaseous environment which is contained relative tosaid frame means while effecting a joinder of said disconnected ends ofsaid pipeline sections. 7. An apparatus to facilitate working onsubmerged conduit means, said apparatus comprising:

frame means operable to be lowered from floating vessel means; a firstplurality of independently operable clamp means carried by at least oneportion of said frame means,

and

operable to be spaced longitudinally of a first section of a submergedpipeline and clampingly engageable therewith;

a second plurality of independently operable clamp means carried by atleast another portion of said frame means, and

operable to be spaced longitudinally of a second section of saidsubmerged pipeline and clampingly engageable therewith, with said secondpipeline section being disconnected from said first pipeline section;first clamp actuating means connected with said first plurality of clampmeans and operable to cause each clamp of said first plurality of clampmeans to independently and selectively exert independent force on saidfirst section of said submerged pipeline directed generally transverselyof said first section; second clamp actuating means connected with saidsecond plurality of clamp means and operable to cause each clamp of saidsecond plurality of clamp means to independently and selectively exertindependent force on said second section of said submerged pipelinedirected generally transversely of said second section; means associatedwith said frame means and operable to define a gaseous environmentenclosing disconnected ends of said first and second sections of saidpipeline; and means operable to effect selective manipulation of saidframe means so as to selectively position said frame means relative toat least one of said first and second sections of said pipeline. 8.Apparatus for laying a pipeline on a submerged location, said apparatuscomprising:

enclosure means operable to enclose disconnected ends of pipelinesections in a gaseous environment at an underwater location whileforming a joint interconnecting said disconnected pipeline sections;means for displacing gas from said gaseous environment and immersingsaid joint interconnecting said pipeline sections in water; means fortransporting said enclosure means operable to define said gaseousenvironment away from said immersed joint toward an extremity of one ofsaid pipeline sections to be joined to another pipeline section; andmeans for displacing water from said enclosure means in order to formanother joint connecting said one of said pipeline sections and saidother pipeline section in a gaseous environment within said enclosuremeans. 9. An apparatus for effecting the underwater laying of apipeline, said apparatus comprising:

6 enclosure means including,

a first chamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chambermeans, 6 5 said second chamber means being interposed longitudinallybetween said first and third chamber means relative to a longitudinalaxis of said enclosure means;

means operable to support a first pipeline section extending throughsaid first chamber means into said second chamber means; means operableto support a second pipeline section extending from said third chambermeans into said second chamber means; first seal means between saidfirst and second chamber means operable to telescopingly receive saidfirst pipeline section; second seal means between said second and thirdchamber means operable to telescopingly receive said second pipelinesection; first aligning clamp means carried in said second chamber meansand operable to engage and selectively manipulate said first pipelinesection; second aligning clamp means carried in said second chambermeans operable to engage and selectively manipulate said second pipelinesection; environment control means carried by said enclosure means andoperable to selectively displace water from said second chamber means todefine a gaseous environment encircling disconnected ends of said firstand second pipeline sections contained within said second chamber means,and transfer gas from said second chamber means to said first and thirdchamber means and submerge said first and second seal means. 10. Anapparatus for effecting the underwater laying of a pipeline, saidapparatus comprising:

enclosure means including, a first chamber means, a second chambermeans, and a third chamber means, said second chamber means beinginterposed longitudinally between said first and third chamber meansrelative to a longitudinal axis of said enclosure means; means operableto support a first pipeline section extending through said first chambermeans into said I second chamber means;

means operable to support a second pipeline section extending from saidthird chamber means into said second chamber means; first seal meansbetween said first and second chamber means operable to telescopinglyreceive said first pipeline section; second seal means between saidsecond and third chamber means operable to telescopingly receive saidsecond pipeline section; I first aligning clamp means carried in saidsecond chamber means and operable to engage and selectively manipulatesaid first pipeline section; second aligning clamp means carried in saidsecond chamber means and operable to engage and selectively manipulatesaid second pipeline section; feeding means carried by said thirdchamber means and operable to selectively advance said second pipelinesection from said third chamber means toward and into said secondchamber means; propulsion means carried by said enclosure means andoperable to advance said enclosure means from said first pipelinesection. toward said second pipeline section; environment control meanscarried by said enclosure means and operable to selectively displacewater from said second chamber means to define a gaseous environmentencircling disconnected ends of said first and second pipeline sectionscontained within said second chamber means, and transfer gas from saidsecond chamber means to said first and third chamber means and submergesaid first and second seal means. 11. Apparatus for laying a pipeline ona submerged location, said apparatus comprising:

enclosure means operable to enclose disconnected ends of pipelinesections in a gaseous environment at an underwater location whileforming a joint interconnecting said disconnected pipeline sections;passage means carried by said enclosure means and operable to affordfluid communication between said gaseous environment and a water bodysurrounding said enclosure means; means for transporting said enclosuremeans which is operable to define said gaseous environment away from asaid joint toward an extremity of one of said pipeline sections which isto be joined to another pipeline section; aligning means within saidenclosure means operable to effect alignment of ends of pipelinesections to be formed; and feeding means associated with said enclosuremeans and operable to feed one pipeline section toward another pipelinesection having an end disposed in said gaseous environment and disposean end of said one section within said gaseous environment. 12. A methodof laying a pipeline on a submerged location, said method comprising:

at a submerged location, providing an enclosure means which is operableto define a gaseous environment; providing fluid communication betweensaid gaseous environment of a water body surrounding said enclosuremeans; within said enclosure means, feeding one pipeline section towardanother pipeline section and aligning ends of said pipeline sectionwhich are to be joined within said gaseous environment; forming a jointinterconnecting said ends of said pipeline sections in said gaseousenvironment; and transporting said enclosure means operable to definesaid gaseous environment away from said joint toward an extremity of oneof said pipeline sections which is to be joined to another pipelinesection.

1. A method of working on conduits in a submerged location, said methodcomprising: manipulating frame means relative to an underwater pipelineso as to selectively locate said frame means relative to said pipeline;from said frame means, independently exerting a series of longitudinallyspaced, independent, and transversely directed forces on at least twodisconnected sections of said pipeline to adjust the alignment thereof;on at least one of said two sections of said pipeline, exerting at leastone restraining force on one portion of said one pipeline section toprovide fulcrum means reacting transversely on said one pipelinesection, and exerting at least one other aligning force on anotherportion of said one pipeline section, said aligning force being exertedon said other portion of said one pipeline section to tend to move saidother portion of said one pipeline section generally transversely of theone portion of said one pipeline section against which said fulcrummeans is reacting; isolating disconnected ends of said first and secondpipeline sections in a gaseous environment which is contained relativeto said frame means; and within said gaseous environment, effecting ajoinder of said disconnected ends of said pipeline sections.
 2. A methodto facilitate working on submerged conduit means, said methodcomprising: providing frame means operable to be lowered from floatingvessel means; effecting selective manipulation of said frame means so asto selectively position said frame means relative to at least one ofsaid first and second sections of said pipeline; providing a firstplurality of independently operable clamp means carried by at least oneportion of said frame means, and spaced longitudinally of a firstsection of a submerged pipeline and clampingly engaged therewith;providing a second plurality of independently operable clamp meanscarried by at least another portion of said frame means, and spacedlongitudinally of a second section of said submerged pipeline, andclampingly engaged therewith, with said second pipeline section beingdisconnected from said first pipeline section; defining a gaseousenvironment enclosing disconnected ends of said first and secondsections of said pipeline; causing each clamp of said first plurality ofclamp means to independently and selectively exert independent force onsaid first section of said submerged pipeline directed generallytransversely of said first section; causing each clamp of said secondplurality of clamp means to independently and selectively exertindependent force on said second section of said submerged pipelinedirected generally transversely of said second section.
 3. A method oflaying a pipeline on a submerged location, said method comprising:enclosing disconnected ends of pipeline sections in working chambermeans of enclosure means, with said working chambeR means providing agaseous environment at an underwater location; forming a jointinterconnecting said disconnected pipeline sections in said gaseousenvironment; displacing gas from said gaseous environment and, in saidworking chamber means, immersing said joint interconnecting saidpipeline sections in water; transporting said working chamber meanscontaining said gaseous environment away from said immersed joint towardan extremity of one of said pipeline sections to be joined to anotherpipeline section; while said enclosure means is being transported awayfrom said immersed joint, storing said gas displaced from said gaseousenvironment in other chamber means included in said enclosure means andtransporting said thus stored gas and other chamber means with saidworking chamber means toward said extremity of said one of said pipelinesections; transferring said stored gas from said other chamber meansback into said working chamber means so as to displace water therefromand reestablish a gaseous environment; and forming another jointconnecting said one of said pipeline sections and said other pipelinesection in said reestablished gaseous environment within said enclosuremeans.
 4. A method for effecting the underwater laying of a pipeline,said method comprising: providing submerged enclosure means including, afirst chamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chamber means,said second chamber means being interposed longitudinally between saidfirst and third chamber means, relative to a longitudinal axis of saidenclosure means; supporting a first pipeline section extending throughsaid first chamber means into said second chamber means; supporting asecond pipeline section extending from said thrid chamber means intosaid second chamber means; providing first seal means between said firstand second chamber means operable to telescopingly receive said firstpipeline section; providing second seal means between said second andthird chamber means operable to telescopingly receive said secondpipeline section; operating first aligning clamp means in said secondchamber means to engage and selectively manipulate said first pipelinesection; operating second aligning clamp means in said second chambermeans to engage and selectively manipulate said second pipeline section;controlling the environment in said enclosure means by selectivelydisplacing water from said second chamber means to define a gaseousenvironment encircling disconnected ends of said first and secondpipeline sections contained within said second chamber means, andtransferring gas from said second chamber means to said first and thirdchamber means to submerge said first and second seal means.
 5. A methodfor effecting the underwater laying of a pipeline, said methodcomprising: providing submerged enclosure means including, a firstchamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chamber means, saidsecond chamber means being interposed longitudinally between said firstand third chamber means relative to a longitudinal axis of saidenclosure means; supporting a first pipeline section extending throughsaid first chamber means into said second chamber means; supporting asecond pipeline section extending from said third chamber means intosaid second chamber means; providing first seal means between said firstand second chamber means operable to telescopingly receive said firstpipeline section; providing second seal means between said second andthird chamber means operable to telescopingly receive said secondpipeline section; operating first aligning clamp means in said secondchamber means to engage and selectively manipulate said first pipelinesection; operating second aligning clamp means in said second chambermeans to engage and selectively manipulate said second pipeline section;feeding means carried by Said third chamber means and operable toselectively advance said second pipeline section from said third chambermeans toward and into said second chamber means; propulsion meanscarried by said enclosure means and operable to advance said enclosuremeans from said first pipeline section toward said second pipelinesection; controlling the environment in said enclosure means byselectively displacing water from said second chamber means to define agaseous environment encircling disconnected ends of said first andsecond pipeline sections contained within said second chamber means, andtransferring gas from said second chamber means to said first and thirdchamber means to submerge said first and second seal means when saidpropulsion means is to be operated to advance said enclosure means fromsaid first pipeline section toward said second pipeline section. 6.Apparatus for working on conduits in a submerged location, saidapparatus comprising: frame means; manipulating means operable tomanipulate said frame means relative to an underwater pipeline so as toselectively locate said frame means relative to said pipeline; aligningmeans operable from said frame means to independently exert a series oflongitudinally spaced, independent, and transversely directed forces onat least two disconnected sections of said pipeline to adjust thealignment thereof; said aligning means being operable relative to atleast one of said two sections of said pipeline, to exert at least onerestraining force on one portion of said one pipeline section to providefulcrum means reacting transversely on said one pipeline section, andexert at least one other aligning force on another portion of said onepipeline section, with said aligning force being exerted on said otherportion of said one pipeline section to tend to move said other portionof said one pipeline section generally transversely of the one portionof said one pipeline section against which said fulcrum means isreacting; enclosure means operable to isolate disconnected ends of saidfirst and second pipeline section in a gaseous environment which iscontained relative to said frame means while effecting a joinder of saiddisconnected ends of said pipeline sections.
 7. An apparatus tofacilitate working on submerged conduit means, said apparatuscomprising: frame means operable to be lowered from floating vesselmeans; a first plurality of independently operable clamp means carriedby at least one portion of said frame means, and operable to be spacedlongitudinally of a first section of a submerged pipeline and clampinglyengageable therewith; a second plurality of independently operable clampmeans carried by at least another portion of said frame means, andoperable to be spaced longitudinally of a second section of saidsubmerged pipeline and clampingly engageable therewith, with said secondpipeline section being disconnected from said first pipeline section;first clamp actuating means connected with said first plurality of clampmeans and operable to cause each clamp of said first plurality of clampmeans to independently and selectively exert independent force on saidfirst section of said submerged pipeline directed generally transverselyof said first section; second clamp actuating means connected with saidsecond plurality of clamp means and operable to cause each clamp of saidsecond plurality of clamp means to independently and selectively exertindependent force on said second section of said submerged pipelinedirected generally transversely of said second section; means associatedwith said frame means and operable to define a gaseous environmentenclosing disconnected ends of said first and second sections of saidpipeline; and means operable to effect selective manipulation of saidframe means so as to selectively position said frame means relative toat least one of said first and second seCtions of said pipeline. 8.Apparatus for laying a pipeline on a submerged location, said apparatuscomprising: enclosure means operable to enclose disconnected ends ofpipeline sections in a gaseous environment at an underwater locationwhile forming a joint interconnecting said disconnected pipelinesections; means for displacing gas from said gaseous environment andimmersing said joint interconnecting said pipeline sections in water;means for transporting said enclosure means operable to define saidgaseous environment away from said immersed joint toward an extremity ofone of said pipeline sections to be joined to another pipeline section;and means for displacing water from said enclosure means in order toform another joint connecting said one of said pipeline sections andsaid other pipeline section in a gaseous environment within saidenclosure means.
 9. An apparatus for effecting the underwater laying ofa pipeline, said apparatus comprising: enclosure means including, afirst chamber means, a second chamber means, and a third chamber means,said second chamber means being interposed longitudinally between saidfirst and third chamber means relative to a longitudinal axis of saidenclosure means; means operable to support a first pipeline sectionextending through said first chamber means into said second chambermeans; means operable to support a second pipeline section extendingfrom said third chamber means into said second chamber means; first sealmeans between said first and second chamber means operable totelescopingly receive said first pipeline section; second seal meansbetween said second and third chamber means operable to telescopinglyreceive said second pipeline section; first aligning clamp means carriedin said second chamber means and operable to engage and selectivelymanipulate said first pipeline section; second aligning clamp meanscarried in said second chamber means operable to engage and selectivelymanipulate said second pipeline section; environment control meanscarried by said enclosure means and operable to selectively displacewater from said second chamber means to define a gaseous environmentencircling disconnected ends of said first and second pipeline sectionscontained within said second chamber means, and transfer gas from saidsecond chamber means to said first and third chamber means and submergesaid first and second seal means.
 10. An apparatus for effecting theunderwater laying of a pipeline, said apparatus comprising: enclosuremeans including, a first chamber means, a second chamber means, and athird chamber means, said second chamber means being interposedlongitudinally between said first and third chamber means relative to alongitudinal axis of said enclosure means; means operable to support afirst pipeline section extending through said first chamber means intosaid second chamber means; means operable to support a second pipelinesection extending from said third chamber means into said second chambermeans; first seal means between said first and second chamber meansoperable to telescopingly receive said first pipeline section; secondseal means between said second and third chamber means operable totelescopingly receive said second pipeline section; first aligning clampmeans carried in said second chamber means and operable to engage andselectively manipulate said first pipeline section; second aligningclamp means carried in said second chamber means and operable to engageand selectively manipulate said second pipeline section; feeding meanscarried by said third chamber means and operable to selectively advancesaid second pipeline section from said third chamber means toward andinto said second chamber means; propulsion means carried by saidenclosure means and operable to advance said enclosure means from saidfirst pipeliNe section toward said second pipeline section; environmentcontrol means carried by said enclosure means and operable toselectively displace water from said second chamber means to define agaseous environment encircling disconnected ends of said first andsecond pipeline sections contained within said second chamber means, andtransfer gas from said second chamber means to said first and thirdchamber means and submerge said first and second seal means. 11.Apparatus for laying a pipeline on a submerged location, said apparatuscomprising: enclosure means operable to enclose disconnected ends ofpipeline sections in a gaseous environment at an underwater locationwhile forming a joint interconnecting said disconnected pipelinesections; passage means carried by said enclosure means and operable toafford fluid communication between said gaseous environment and a waterbody surrounding said enclosure means; means for transporting saidenclosure means which is operable to define said gaseous environmentaway from a said joint toward an extremity of one of said pipelinesections which is to be joined to another pipeline section; aligningmeans within said enclosure means operable to effect alignment of endsof pipeline sections to be formed; and feeding means associated withsaid enclosure means and operable to feed one pipeline section towardanother pipeline section having an end disposed in said gaseousenvironment and dispose an end of said one section within said gaseousenvironment.
 12. A method of laying a pipeline on a submerged location,said method comprising: at a submerged location, providing an enclosuremeans which is operable to define a gaseous environment; providing fluidcommunication between said gaseous environment of a water bodysurrounding said enclosure means; within said enclosure means, feedingone pipeline section toward another pipeline section and aligning endsof said pipeline section which are to be joined within said gaseousenvironment; forming a joint interconnecting said ends of said pipelinesections in said gaseous environment; and transporting said enclosuremeans operable to define said gaseous environment away from said jointtoward an extremity of one of said pipeline sections which is to bejoined to another pipeline section.